Podcast Episodes

Dogen: “Not knowing is most intimate.” July 5, 1987

Season 3 Episode 121

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains the story of Dogen Zenji, the founder of the Soto Zen school in Japan. One master says, “Not knowing is most intimate.”

Dogen’s question: if we are already Buddh…

Published on 5 days, 3 hours ago

How you form your ego—and can ultimately overcome it. Jun 28, 1987

Season 3 Episode 120

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, tells a parable about a powerful Chinese prime minister, who was a devoted Zen student. When the minister asked his master, "how does Zen explain egotism?" the master in…

Published on 2 weeks, 3 days ago

Zen and Socrates. Jun 21, 1987

Season 3 Episode 119

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, argues that most people waste their lives playing superficial games and are deceived by their own minds. They fail to engage in the urgent, life and death work of knowin…

Published on 4 weeks, 2 days ago

Instructions for Koan study. And true understanding & non-discrimination. May 31, 1987

Season 3 Episode 118

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the story of master Joshu who offers cups of tea to the various monks, illustrating the idea of how distinction keeps us from seeing the world as it is. When he…

Published on 1 month ago

Instructions for Koan study. And true understanding & non-discrimination. May 31, 1987

Season 3 Episode 118

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the story of master Joshu who offers cups of tea to the various monks, illustrating the idea of how distinction keeps us from seeing the world as it is. When he…

Published on 1 month ago

The limitations of human knowledge. May 17, 1987

Season 3 Episode 117

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses human knowledge an its limitations.

Typical knowledge is the result of fragmented perception. Our knowledge is narrow, limited to appearances and governed by d…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

In the struggle between opposites is the Truth. Mar 6, 1987

Season 3 Episode 116

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, draws on Buddhist and Hindu traditions (including the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita) to explain the human condition.

Struggles and opposition are partners in ou…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Where is God? Feb 28, 1987

Season 3 Episode 115

Note: Generally, this talk is more lighthearted than most that Lola gives. It’s nice to see that side of her personality.

Lola begins with a comical tale about a man and a priest he asks for advice.

Ze…

Published on 2 months, 1 week ago

Mystica Theologica, the Sutras of Patanjali and the Book of Genesis. Jan 31, 1987

Season 3 Episode 114

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses various texts about the notion of God — from the biblical book of Genesis to Mystica Theologica to the sutras of Patanjali.

Dionysus was a disciple of St. Paul …

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

How do you answer: “Does God exist?” Sep 20, 1987

Season 3 Episode 113

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, (who is also an ordained Christian minister) explores issues that are common to both Christian and Eastern thought to illustrate the difference between theology/philosop…

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago